Shahi Litchi

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to enjoy the taste of strawberries, watermelons and grapes in a single fruit? Well, it is not just a fantastic idea, but a reality that nature has bestowed on us in the form of the delicious Litchi. An exotic fruit, with great taste and sensuous appearance, the Lychee is one of the least known delicacies, grown only in certain parts of the world. Moreover, when you talk about litchi, it is hard to find a variety that matches the taste and quality of Shahi Litchi that is grown exclusively in Muzaffarpur, a district in Bihar, India.

Historically as old as 2000 BCE, Lychee is known to have originated from China but is now produced in countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa and the United States. It may be called by names like litchi, laichi or lichu in different regions but the most popular name seems to be Lychee, especially in English speaking countries. Taxonomically the tree that bears the litchi fruit is named as Litchi chinensis and classified under the soapberry family known as Sapindaceae.

Typically a sub-tropical fruit, its cultivation requires a warm climate, high summer heat, adequate rainfall and humidity. The Southern part of China and the South East Asian region have the perfect climatic conditions and soils to produce large quantities of lychee in a number of varieties known as cultivars. The fruit offers not just taste but high nutritional value as well. It is a rich source of carbohydrates and Vitamin C and several health benefits are associated with it. The litchi extract can be processed to prepare energetic drink, juice, jelly, squash, sorbet, ice cream and a number of other food products.

Litchi Production in India

India is next only to China in terms of litchi production. A number of varieties that include Shahi, Dehradun and Kalkatia among many others are grown in states like Bihar, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Tripura. The area under litchi cultivation has extended significantly since the fruit was first introduced in the country during the 18^th century. Today, India accounts for about one-fifth of the global lychee production. The country is also known worldwide as a leading exporter of some of its finest qualities. The countries where Indian litchis are exported include the Netherlands, Canada, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, England, France, Spain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

The agro-climatic conditions of the Indian state of Bihar are the most ideal for high-quality litchi production. Presently, about 75 percent of the total production in India is concentrated in Bihar. Even in Bihar, the cultivation is limited to a few districts only, with Muzaffarpur accounting for the maximum production. Muzaffarpur is known globally for the cultivation of Shahi litchi, a supreme variety that is grown in about 2000 odd orchards located in and around the district.

Shahi Litchi of Muzaffarpur

Shahi litchi has the highest pulp percentage and is known for the pleasant smell and sweet taste. Hidden beneath the bright red, roughly-textured rind is the translucent white, juicy fruit that has an enticing appeal which is hard to resist. With an agreeable sweet-acid taste, crisp like grapes, Shahi litchi pulp is sure to titillate your palate like never before when eaten fresh. Rich in Vitamin C and Carbohydrates with no cholesterol at all, the fruit is loved by all and can also be frozen, canned or dried to produce litchi nuts which taste much like raisins.

Moreover, Shahi litchi can be processed to make juice, squash, honey, and also wine. Some of the companies having plants to process the fruit locally include the names of Litchika International, Shyama Agro Industry, Premier Food Products, Thakur Litchi Industry and Radha Krishna Implex Pvt. Ltd. Recently, the NationalLitchiResearchCenter, based in Muzaffarpur, has succeeded in developing litchi-flavored wine by mixing pulpy extracts of the fruit with various types of spirits. Encouraged by the research, many leading companies, such as United Breweries (UB), Kingfisher and Litchika International have shown interest in using the technology to produce litchi wine.